Man City star De Bruyne shoots down Messi rumours, reacts to contract talk

Cesc Fabregas should return to Arsenal from Barcelona rather than join Chelsea, his Spain team-mate Santi Cazorla has claimed.

Fabregas is widely expected to depart Camp Nou in the coming months after failing to nail down a regular starting role for Barcelona.

The 27-year-old has scored an impressive 42 goals in 151 games in all competitions for the Catalan giants, but is thought to be keen on a move to become a key player elsewhere.

He will have a chance to prove his worth at the upcoming FIFA World Cup, where Spain will look to defend their 2010 crown.

And, amid reports Arsenal and Chelsea could fight it out for his signature, Cazorla has called for the former Emirates Stadium captain to make a return to north London.

I have read that Cesc could go to Che…

One of his highlights

In amongst all the deserved superlatives flying around for the wonderful performance of Barcelona on Saturday evening, it has almost gone unnoticed that one of the finest keepers of his generation and any other, made his last ever appearance in that game.

Disappointed

Edwin van der Sar was hugely disappointed to bow out with such a comprehensive defeat and with the second goal looking suspiciously like one he should have saved, but he can look back on a glorious career with his head held high.

I played one game too many I think, it is not nice to lose of course. It is not always a given, I thank everyone for the memories. They had the better chances and we made one or two mistakes and they punish you. They are very good, you have to …

Gareth Barry stoked the fire ahead of Everton s trip to Manchester United on Sunday, claiming Old Trafford has lost its fear factor.

Barry played a key role as Everton won at Old Trafford for the first time in 21 years last season, triumphing 1-0.

The 33-year-old midfielder also tasted success at the stadium during his time with Manchester City, featuring in the 6-1 mauling in October 2011 en route to the Premier League title.

Barry was also part of the City team that beat United 2-1 in April last year.

And speaking ahead of Sunday s clash, Barry believes Old Trafford is not as daunting as it once was for visiting teams.

I think it has [lost its fear factor], Barry said. It took me probably 12 or 13 years to win a Premier League game there.

…

West Ham United have joined the race to sign Celtic defender Virgil van Dijk, .

The Netherlands U21 international has been strongly linked with a move to Arsenal in recent weeks after they failed to push through a deal on transfer deadline day, and now West Ham have declared an interest in securing his services.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is keen on finding a replacement for fellow centre-back Winston Reid, who is out of contract in the summer and has identified Van Dijk as his top target following his stand out performers for the Scottish champions last season.

West Ham moved into the top four on Saturday after beating Burnley by three goals to one – their third win in their last four league games.

Having finished thirteenth last season, the Lond…

Schalke are keen on re-signing Chelsea defender Baba Rahman on loan, according to Sky Sports.

The twenty-three year old spent the first half of last season on loan with the Bundesliga outfit racking up twenty-one appearances in all competitions, scoring his one and only goal for the club in a 1-0 Europa League win over Nice last September.

He was supposed to be spending the whole campaign with the Gelsenkirchen outfit though an injury he picked up at the Africa Cup of Nations in January saw him return to Stamford Bridge.

He signed for the Blues two years ago and has since played for them twenty-three times with his last outing coming in a 1-1 draw with Leicester City in the final game of the 2015/16 season.

Internationally, the full-back has been cap…

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp insists the club will not sell Philippe Coutinho or any other key players before next season.

The Brazil international has been linked with a possible move to Paris Saint-Germain in recent weeks following his outstanding Premier League form in 2016-17.

Klopp, however, has no concerns over the futures of any of his first-team stars.

Not with only Phil, but it s a good thing to talk about in the transfer window because the world thinks improving is only about bringing in new players, he told a news conference.

Nobody thinks that the players we already have will make the next step, which is also a nice idea. We use the transfer window, of course, because it gives us an opportunity, but the main thing I think about is how we can…

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola was disappointed to lose Mikel Arteta from his backroom staff and following his start to life at Arsenal it is easy to see why.

While Arteta was unable to guide Arsenal into the top six in the Premier League last season, he secured Europa League qualification by winning his first trophy less than eight months into the job in the form of the FA Cup.

It is not just silverware that has appeased a large section of the Gunners faithful, though. It is a club favourite returning and attempting to implement a style of football that supporters became accustomed to during the illustrious reign of Arsene Wenger.

With an aesthetically pleasing approach, Arsenal are once again looking capable of mixing it with the best teams in the Premier L…

Werder Bremen s Sebastian Proedl claims he has been approached by Lazio about a move to the Serie A club at the end of the 2011/12 season.

The Austria international defender is out of contract at the Bundesliga club at the end of the season and there has been speculation that Lazio are interested in signing him on a free transfer.

When pressed on the rumours, Proedl told Syker Kreiszeitung: There is contact. We talked only about a move in the (European) summer but nothing has been decided.

Proedl also revealed that he has talked to other clubs, but said there was a chance he could stay at the Weserstadion: Werder are still interesting.

Bremen sporting director Klaus Allofs also believes the player could end up signing a new deal with the club.

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Carlos Alcaraz apologised to Boca Juniors fans after his celebration for Racing Club sparked a melee in which World Cup-bound referee Facundo Tello dished out seven red cards, taking the tally for the match to an incredible 11.

The Argentine struck in the 117th minute to earn his side a 2-1 extra-time win in the Trofeo de Campeones final, before stripping his shirt off and dropping to his knees in front of opposition supporters.

His actions sparked a brawl involving both sets of players, with referee Tello – who will officiate at Qatar 2022 – dismissing five players from Boca and two from racing, including Alcaraz himself.

Following a further four dismissals earlier in the match, it meant 11 overall, with the contest consequently brought to a close as Boca on…

Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo said the club is no certainty to secure the services of former England captain David Beckham.

It had been widely suggested that Beckham would be interested in returning to Europe once his current five-year deal with the LA Galaxy expires on Saturday.

However, Beckham s reluctance to leave Los Angeles, where he has raised four children since moving from Real Madrid in 2007, could mean staying put in the United States.

Also, according to the BBC, Beckham and his advisors have been impressed with Galaxy s determination to re-sign their marquee player and their offer of a one-year rolling deal.

Cashed-up PSG are considered the front-runners to secure Beckham s services if he does decide to leave the MLS, but …